Summer Scheme Review

The week was very rewarding and enjoyable. I got to sit in two of my top choices and gained a really valuable insight into life in a City law firm. The team were fantastic across the board, from the partnership to business services, and everyone made every effort to make us feel welcome.

I felt that the work I was asked to undertake reflected the true nature of trainee work at the firm, and that the work I completed added value to matters that the firm was working on. The D&I team also invited me along to join the firm for Pride in London, marching with them, making me feel truly welcome in the firm.

Guidance was great from the beginning. Associates and partners who set tasks were quick to offer feedback, and feedback sessions with supervisors at the end of each week allowed a chance to discuss strengths and areas of improvement. This was particularly valuable after the first week and allowed us to actively improve during our second seat.

Legal research skills have proved invaluable in helping me to break through large judgments and lengthy articles to pick out relevant information and apply it correctly. The fortnight also helped me to develop my time management skills, and learning when to say no to additional work.

The insight was well structured. Talks were given which represented the main areas of the firms work, with regular socials and networking opportunities to get to know the current trainee intake, and also more senior lawyers better. The two seat rotation, with a compulsory insurance seat, allowed a good breadth of different work.

The atmosphere through the scheme was great, no doubt helped by England's progress through the World Cup. The atmosphere was particularly strong between students on the scheme, with solid relationships built for the future. With lunch times generally kept free it allowed the intake to spend time with each other and chat about different areas of the firm. Socials were good fun, and different, with an escape room being the highlight. Our second social was rearranged to allow for a semi-final, with the firm putting it on with drinks and snacks in the cafe. A trainee/talent free social on the first Friday was a particularly good idea!

The firm were quick to understand the ability of the intake, and set work of a challenge suitable to each individual. The partnership were particularly approachable, with partners taking time out of their work to discuss their practice areas with the intake on a 1 to 1 basis if asked.

I think the scheme accurately portrayed the nature of life as a trainee at RPC. Work was challenging and felt worthwhile. The quick rotation between the first and second seats highlighted the need for trainees to be quick at adapting, as did the vast breadth of work I was asked to undertake.

The culture of the firm came across fully during the scheme. I had the pleasure of joining the firm during its first showing at Pride in London and got to see first hand the positive steps the firm is taking towards increasing diversity in the profession. The open plan nature of the office also allowed the firm to show how open the hierarchy was.

The content of the scheme was very valuable in helping me decide on my future career path. Time in media confirmed that contentious work was where I should be heading, and more generally that commercial law in a City firm was where I wanted to start my career.

Well paid.

There were good opportunities for meeting other employees, including other trainees and more senior lawyers.

Networking opportunities were good, with the chance to arrange 1 to 1's with partners in areas of particular interest.

We were invited to the trainees event that took place during our vacation scheme, and took part in the trainees business blog competition. This showed what the trainees do outside of day to day work whilst still at the firm.

Yes. I would definitely recommend this scheme. It was thoroughly enjoyable and the firm takes a massive interest in ensuring that the intake can perform to the best of their ability.